8 Weeks.....

This is much cuter that my little baby updates I receive weekly. One because it's our sweet baby, and two because it is our sweet baby.....did I mention that this is our sweet baby. Colin and me mixed together in this perfect little blob. My mom and dad think she (if you are talking to dad) looks just like me....hilarious. I couldn't believe how much this little one had grown in the past two weeks. Within the triangular blob, you see a perfect little blob at the top. Dr. Akin said that on the left is baby's head, right baby's body (the head is the same size as the body, this better change before my delivery date)....we could see the little nubbins that make up the arms and legs and a strong heartbeat in the middle. Did me mention that this sweet baby moved during our ultrasound....I didn't feel it, because it is only the size of a dime but we sure did see it. What a miracle! Enjoy my friends....thanks and love.
Em

I will lay down and sleep in peace for you alone O lord make me dwell in safety...Psalm 4:8

I don't even know where to start this post. Colin and I have had the most emotional, scary, heart wrenching weekend. It all started on Saturday morning when I woke up with some cramping. I assumed it was because I had put in a long day at work on Friday and rested for most of the day. Around 3:00 I started moving around and did my baby yoga, a little cleaning, and then headed off to Saturday night church with Stef and her sweet momma. After church I looked at Stef and said I just don't feel right, I feel like I am about to start my period. Colin and I made plans to go on a date to Bonefish Grill after church and I figured we would be sitting and enjoying a good meal together....nothing strenuous. As we were walking to our table on the patio (what a perfect night for dinner on the patio), I knew what had happened. I went to the restroom and my biggest fears were confirmed. I came out and told Colin and immediately called my friends Kristin and Leann who are nurses. Leann told me to call Dr. Akin and most likely he would tell me to go home and put my feet up and rest. Dr. Muse was on call (Dr. Akin's partner) and he instructed me just like Leann had predicted. He also told me 1/3 of women bleed during their pregnancy and that they couldn't do anything for me at that point and to call on Monday.
When Colin and I got home the bleeding and cramping became worse and worse. I was up most of the night just praying that God would protect our sweet baby and not take this precious gift of life away from us. (Side note, I had to do this without my mom and dad, they left on Saturday for Puerto Rico and I know if I had called them they would have been on the first flight home. We didn't know how things would turn out and really wanted them to enjoy their much needed vacation).
Sunday, I began to feel a little better the bleeding slowed down, but the cramping was still there. I just kept praying that Monday would come, I wanted so desperatly to see our sweet baby, and in the same breath I didn't want it to come. I didn't want to know if something was wrong, I didn't want to face a miscarriage, I didn't even want to think that word. Colin and I spent the day laying in bed watching movies, and he really did take great care of me. I am so lucky.
Today I didn't go into work because I wanted to call Dr. Akin's office and try and move my 4:00 appointment up so we didn't have to wait any longer. Luckily they did have a cancellation and we got to go at 1:30. We were basket cases. I couldn't look at Colin, he kept reassuring me that everything was God's plan and that he loved me not matter what. He rubbed my back and just stood there so strong. When Dr Akin finally came in my whole body was shaking. I wanted to know, but I didn't want to know. I was already tearing up when he walked in the room.
At first I didn't see anything, and I was thinking ok God, we trust you and your plan and then all of the sudden we spotted this little bean. It moved and had a strong little heartbeat. It was our baby....ALIVE and well! We cried, we laughed, and we thanked God. Dr. Akin said that I just might be one of the lucky women who will bleed throughout her whole pregnancy. He also noticed a little clot next to the placenta, and that phantom baby was still there. We were beyond thrilled, thankful, and blown away by our sweet baby. We could see where the head was forming, little arm and leg buds, and that sweet little heartbeat. Praise God!
Thank you Lord for watching over our sweet baby and continuing to protect him/her. May you continue to be GLORIFIED in the story of your new creation.

God Appointments...

Well, "it" finally hit me. I have been down most of the day due to this sweet baby Stout. I called in at work, and have been munching on oyster crackers, sipping on hot Sprite and soup. I have slept on and off and in a wierd way feel happy that I feel sick. It must mean there is something going on! Although I have had a rough day I wouldn't miss what God has planned tonight. All my friends that I have met through Dr. Akin's office and Replenish are coming over. My mom has prepared some sweet treats (bless her), and some of my other friends are bringing over some of their favorite dishes. I am nervous....but I really feel like God has made this appointment. I am going to share my book Longing for a Child with the girls, and a small exerpt about how we are not alone. I am hoping and praying that this is an outlet for all of us to feel a part of something bigger, to feel hope, and comfort. Please pray for us tonight.

Em

Yoga

(one of my basic moves above, yeah right!)
I have no idea what I am going to write today. I know that I need to be more consistent in my blogging, and have really slacked off. I did come home today and try to be productive before I passed out from a full day with my little Kinders. My friend Kristin gave me a prenatal yoga video that I watched laying in bed last night, and actually did this afternoon. Colin was making fun of my last night, but I just wanted to watch and see if I could do all of these moves. It as actually very relaxing and I LOVE stretching! They have three women demonstrating how to do certain moves. One lady is in her first trimester (She might be a size zero), one lady in her second trimester, and the last in....you guess it, her third. I am living for the third because all she really does is sit in a chair and breathe....my kind of work out. I am also going to try to start up my walking again tonight. I am looking forward to a nice, healthy dinner from the grill. Chicken and an assortment of grilled veggies. Man that sounds SOOOOO yummy.



So anyway, I feel like I am off to a pretty good start this week. I am hoping to do yoga at least four times a week (today I started with 20 minutes, and eventually hoping to work up to at least 40-50). Wish me luck! Hope all is well with my friends. Love,

Em

7 weeks

(Still a little scary looking, but I love this little baby)
I have the latest picture of our little pencil eraser (technically that is how big our baby is now), I have also learned that our baby's arms are about the length as this printed "1". We have been reading up on EVERYTHING! I am a little overwhelmed and just don't know where to start. We need to put new carpet down upstairs, I would like to do that before we order all the furniture. Colin's dad isn't aware that we have a few projects for him in the nursery as well. We would like to install bead bording (sp), and crown molding...he is so handy!



Colin and I have had a very relaxing weekend. We have enjoyed each others company, and spent some good times with friends and family. This week looks low key, until this Thursday. I am having a get together for a some friends that I have made along this journey. We are going to get together to pray, encourage, and talk through where we are in this process. I am praying for a good turn out and for all these young women to leave feeling connected and not alone. If you think of it, please pray for us on Thursday at 6:30. Love you guys.

EM

Climbing Mountains

What a great week so far. Each day I notice that I get tired a little bit earlier in the day then before. Someone told me that being pregnant in the first trimester is like climbing a mountain every day....I believe it. I feel like the biggest loser. I usually come home from work and take me a short nap. Then Colin and I are in bed at a really early time (we were both asleep by 8:15 last night).
Other that the fatigue, I am feeling pretty good. We read in our pregnancy journal every night about what our sweet baby looks like and is developing on that specific day. We also read a prayer out of a book for pregnant women. Both are such great ways to end the day.
Hope all is well with all my friends....love ya.

and......

The big news is.....we are having ONE bouncing, baby Stout! We are thrilled. We went in for our ultrasound at 4:00 today around 3:30 (we were so excited). Dr. Akin got us right in. At the beginning of the ultrasound Dr. Akin said he saw multiples. He said it looks like you are having twins. After a few seconds looking around he concluded that we had a phantom twin (the embryo tried to implant, but eventually stopped developing, it will either absorb back into my body or I will miscarry that baby). Dr. Akin reassured us that the other baby is not in any danger, and he has seen this in other pregnancies. We are THRILLED to be blessed with ONE little baby and just pray that God continue to strengthen this child and protect it.

We have pictures....see above. Baby Stout is at the top between the two x's. The other bubble is the infamous phantom twin. We saw the sweetest little flicker on the monitor and that happened to be the heartbeat. Praise God, at 6 weeks this child has a heartbeat. Blown away. One thing to read about it online, another to see it with our own eyes. As you can tell we are ecstatic!!

Love,

Em, Colin, and Baby Stout